Grand National event raises £11,000 for sport charity
MORE than £11,000 was raised to go towards opportunities in sport for young people at a gala event on Saturday.
The Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation sold 250 tickets to its third annual Grand National lunch at St Pierre Park Hotel.
‘We are thrilled to have achieved this fantastic total, which will mean that we can continue to support Bailiwick children and young people to participate in sport,’ said Karen New, Mr Lowe’s eldest daughter and a foundation trustee.
Guests took part in a sweepstake on the horse race at Aintree and an auction where the prizes included a two-night stay in Sark and tickets to watch Manchester United at Old Trafford.
‘Our Grand National lunch is always a fantastic day out while raising funds to support Bailiwick children and young people to participate in sport,’ said foundation chairman David Warr.
‘We are proud to be part of the ecosystem which helps Guernsey’s sporting talent continue to punch above its weight and also afford opportunities to those who simply wish to enjoy the many benefits of participating in sport.
‘The trustees firmly believe that promoting participation in sport at a young age is beneficial for several reasons, including health, social interaction, confidence and self-esteem.’
Dennis Burns acted as MC for the afternoon and additional entertainment was provided by musical director Stephen Dixon and Music Theatre Guernsey.
‘I’m over the moon to be doing an event for them for about the 99th time,’ joked Mr Burns.
‘Each year I tell them that if they want me to do it again the following year they might need a seance.’
Mr Burns is one of the island’s best-loved entertainers. Next year he celebrates 60 years since he settled in the island.
‘I’m still doing this umpteen years later – and still telling the same jokes,’ he said.
